M-231 bridge work to close North Cedar Drive in Robinson Township on Thursday

ROBINSON TOWNSHIP, MI — Work on the much-anticipated M-231 bypass near Grand Haven will close North Cedar Drive between 120th and 128th avenues on Thursday.

The Michigan Department of Transportation said crews will begin pouring the deck for the M-231 bridge, which once complete late this decade will be only the fourth Grand River crossing in Ottawa County.

A detour around Thursday's work will take westbound motorists south on 120th Avenue, west on Sleeper Street and north on 128th Avenue. Eastbound motorists' detour will follow the reverse order of that detour.

Local access will be maintained on North Cedar Drive as crews work.

The M-231 bridge will cost $70 million to construct, and will give motorists a way to bypass the U.S. 31 bridge near Grand Haven that also acts as a drawbridge for boats.

The bypass is expected to alleviate traffic congestion along U.S. 31. It is one component of a $200 million project updating major thoroughfares, including nearby U.S. 31 and M-104.